Smothering and Lighter Holding System For Tobacco Pipes

ABSTRACT

A uniquely designed smoking pipe having a concave portion on the top of the pipe wherein a magnet is inlaid for the purpose of holding tight, a smothering or tamping device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter for the purposes of extinguishing the lit pipe and/or protecting the unused tobacco within the bowl.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present applications claims priority to the earlier filed provisional application having Ser. No. 62/168,585, and hereby incorporates subject matter of the provisional application in its entirety.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

MICROFICHE APPENDIX

Not Applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION 1. Field of Invention

This invention relates to the field of smoking implements, and more particularly to a smoking pipe with a means of attaching a conventional flammable liquid lighter to the body of the pipe. This invention further relates to the field of tobacco pipe tamping and smothering devices and tobacco storage. Among pipe smokers the most common method of lighting and relighting a pipe is by use of a “cigarette lighter” also known as a flammable liquid lighter.

This invention relates to the field of smoking implements, and more particularly to a smoking pipe with a means of attaching and easily removing a device for tamping and/or smothering a lit pipe and/or attaching a common “cigarette lighter”. One problem that pipe smokers face is that once lit, the tobacco contained within the pipe will continue to burn after the smoker has taken in the smoke. This causes a waste of valuable tobacco and creates a danger of fire if the pipe is dropped or placed down on a flammable surface. While these problems are inherent in the use of smoking pipes it is nevertheless desirable to reduce this loss of tobacco and the associated dangers as much as reasonably possible.

A number of prior pipes have been suggested, wherein a lid of various sorts may be either attached, swiveled, or folded into place by various means. All such devices must consider the possibility of a detachable lid becoming misplaced or in the case of attached lids, the added weight of such a lid throwing off the balance of the pipe and creating an awkward and uncomfortable smoking experience.

A number of prior pipes have also been suggested, wherein matches or flammable liquid lighters are provided either for attachment to pipes, or actually as integral parts thereof. Such devices must obviously consider the problem of supporting such elements in close proximity to a lit and burning tobacco bowl.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

According to the present invention, there is provided a uniquely designed smoking pipe with a concave surface along the top of the pipe stretching from the start of “bowl” end to the mouthpiece end or any portion of the pipe from the bowl end short of the mouthpiece end wherein the dimensions are such that the concave surface will allow for a metal cylinder of 1.50 inches or of similar dimensions or a half cylinder of the same or similar dimensions to fit snuggly upon the concave surface so as to smother and or tamp the lit and burning bowl by way of denying oxygen to the burning portion. The tamping or smothering device is securely held to the “bowl” by way of a magnet inlaid in the pipe material just in front of the said bowl which also serves to protect and encapsulate any unburned tobacco so as to protect it from being lost in the event the pipe is tipped over or otherwise disturbed.

Another object of the invention is to allow the pipe smoker to use a commonly used flammable liquid lighter of the same or similar dimensions in lieu of a metallic tamping or smothering device so as to provide the same protecting effect while also providing a convenient means of possessing and holding a lighter in close proximity to the pipe to allow the smoker to light and relight the tobacco at their leisure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a top down plain perspective of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front horizontal view of the bowl end of the present invention demonstrating the diameter of the concave portion.

FIG. 3 is a front horizontal view of the bowl end of the present invention including a tamper/smothering device or a commonly used flammable liquid lighter which attaches to the magnet.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the present invention with the metallic tamper/smothering device or a commonly used flammable liquid lighter in place.

REFERENCE NUMERALS IN DRAWINGS

-   1 Bowl -   2 Magnet -   3 Stem -   4 Concave Portion -   5 Mouthpiece -   6 Demonstration of the diameter of the concave portion atop the pipe -   7 Metallic tamper/smothering device or a commonly used flammable     liquid lighter

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

A smoking pipe of the present invention design is depicted in FIG. 1-5 generally including a bowl 1, a magnet 2, a stem 3, a concave portion 4, a mouthpiece 5, and a metallic tamper/smothering device or a commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7. In a desire to present the preferred embodiment, the measurements of the concave portion 4, the bowl 1, the metallic tamper 7, and the length and material of the overall preferred embodiment shall be provided with specificity, however, it should be noted that other dimensions and materials may be used without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

A user of the present invention would light the tobacco in the bowl 1, with a appropriate lighter and draw in the smoke that is produced through the mouthpiece 5. When the user has taken in the desired amount of smoke the user then may attach the metallic tamper/smothering device 7, to the magnet 2. When this is done the combination of the appropriately sized metallic tamper/smothering device 7 and the concave portion 4 creates a seal that prevents oxygen from reaching the burning tobacco in the bowl 1, which causes the burning tobacco to nearly immediately extinguish. This results in greater safety as the risk of burning embers of tobacco escaping the bowl 1 is greatly reduced. This mode of usage also works to protect the tobacco from spilling out if the pipe is tipped over or otherwise disturbed. An additional attribute is that, because the tobacco is nearly immediately extinguished this system prevents the loss of tobacco to continual burning after the user draws in the smoke thus saving tobacco and providing a more economic means of smoking a pipe. The concave portion 4 also assists the magnet 2 in holding the tamper/smothering device 7 or a commonly used flammable liquid lighter to the pipe by nature of its shape.

In addition, the dimensions of the concave portion 4 in the preferred embodiment of the present invention are such that a commonly used flammable liquid lighter of the same or similar dimensions to the tamper/smothering device may be placed in the concave portion. The metallic end of a commonly used flammable liquid lighter will attach to the magnet 2 and rest tightly in the concave portion 4. This allows for the convenient transport of a commonly used flammable liquid lighter for use in lighting the bowl 1. The commonly used flammable liquid lighter will also work as a “lid” to hold unused tobacco in the bowl 1 when the pipe is not in use.

FIG. 1-5 depicts the preferred embodiment of the present invention which should be made out of wood of a strength and grain suitable in the manufacturing of smoking pipes. The overall length of the smoking pipe is 5 inches. The height of the pipe is ¾ inches. The diameter of the bowl 1, is 9/16 inches. The base or bottom of the pipe should be a flat plain.

FIG. 1 depicts a plain top down view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 1 the bowl 1, is visible as is the magnet 2. The distance from the outer edge of the bowl 1 to the center of the magnet 2 is 1/10 inches. The placement of the bowl and magnet are ideal to provide a sturdy magnetic connection of a metallic tamper/smothering device or a commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7 for use as a lid on the bowl. The distance from the magnet 2 to the bowl 1, provides the best balance of a magnetic hold and ease of removal.

FIG. 2 depicts a front horizontal view of the bowl 1 end of the pipe. In FIG. 2 the concave portion 4 wherein the smothering device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter shall rest is clearly visible. This portion should be incurved so as to allow a cylinder of 1.50 inches to be securely cradled atop the pipe. FIG. 2 provides an outline of the appropriate sized cylinder 6 and demonstrates the ideal dimensions of the concave portion 4. Here, the bowl, stem and magnet are also visible as a demonstration of the layout of the internals of the preferred embodiment from this perspective.

FIG. 3 is a front horizontal view of the bowl 1 end of the pipe with a metallic tamper/smothering device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7 in place. FIG. 3 demonstrates the way in which a metallic tamper device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7 that is curved in order to have the same exterior dimensions as the concave portion 4 fit together. The dimensions of the concave portion 4 are such that a cylinder measuring 1.50 inches in diameter would rest properly and tightly in the concave portion. The metallic tamper or commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7 must have a curve properly conceived to fit in to the rounded inside edge of a cylinder measuring 1.50 inches in diameter. FIG. 3 demonstrates that the properly sized metallic tamper or commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7 fits snuggly and tightly in to the concave portion 4 and attaches to the magnet 2. The interaction of these three elements of the present invention causes the metallic tamper to perform like a “lid” and deny oxygen to the burning tobacco while also keeping the tobacco within the bowl 1. It should be noted that the most commonly used flammable liquid lighter shares the same dimensions as the described metallic tamper/smothering device 7 and may be used in place of the metallic instrument when the pipe is not in use.

FIG. 4 depicts a side elevated view of the overall preferred embodiment of the invention. Here one can see the stem 3 running from the bowl 1 to the mouthpiece 5. The orientation of the magnet 2 and the concave portion 4 is also visible.

FIG. 5 depicts a side elevated view of the overall preferred embodiment of the invention with the metallic tamper device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter 7 in place. The tamper/smothering device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter can be seen resting within the concave portion 7 and attached to the magnet 2. FIG. 5 depicts the preferred embodiment of the invention when not in use with the metallic tamper/smothering device 7 in place and acting as a “lid” to hold in and extinguish the burning tobacco in the bowl 1. From this perspective it is also apparent that a commonly used flammable liquid lighter could rest comfortably in the concave portion to act as a lid as well.

A person skilled in the art of pipe making who wishes to create the present invention must first cause the concave portion to be cut in to the wood or other desired material. This may be accomplished by use of a router with a bit of the proper dimensions or other appropriate tool to cut into the material a concave shape measuring 1.50 inches in diameter as depicted in FIG. 2. The creator must then use a drill to create a bowl measuring 9/16 inches in diameter and a depth appropriate so that the bowl may contain a sufficient amount of tobacco while not drilling completely through the body of the pipe which is ideally ¾ inches in height. The creator would then drill the stem_(—) starting at the mouthpiece end and drilling completely through into the bowl so that smoke may transfer from the bowl to the end of the mouthpiece and into the user's mouth when they draw upon the lit tobacco contained in the bowl. Finally, a small shallow hole must be drilled in front of the bowl, 1/10 inch from the outer edge of the bowl. The small hole will then be filled with an appropriate epoxy and the magnet inserted into the epoxy filled hole so that the magnet will be held securely in the hole when the epoxy dries and hardens. The magnet must be flush with the top of the pipe material so that the metallic tamper/smothering device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter, when attached lies flat upon the surface of the concave portion creating a tight seal.

The exact dimensions and sizes of the materials may be altered slightly so long as the dimensions of the metallic tamper are also altered in a way that the tamper rests securely and snuggly within the concave portion and attaches to the magnet at the front of the pipe. In order for the spirit and scope of the present invention to be adhered to the chosen dimensions would also need to be such as to allow the metallic portion of a commonly used flammable liquid lighter to attach to the magnet and rest properly within the concave portion of the pipe. The present invention may also be made of other materials so long as the tamper or commonly used flammable liquid lighter, concave portion and magnet work together to create an effective seal against the air to extinguish the burning tobacco in the bowl and/or protect the contents from the elements and the potential for being spilled. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A smoking pipe comprised of a bowl wherein tobacco is to be lit, opposite a stem or mouthpiece end where the user draws smoke; a concave or incurved cut in the pipe material along the top of the pipe running from the start or the bowl end to the mouthpiece end or any portion short of the mouthpiece end; a magnet inlaid in front of the bowl towards the end of the bowl end of the pipe.
 2. A smoking pipe as defined in claim 1, wherein the said concave portion is cut in to the material for the purpose of holding securely a metal cylinder or half cylinder or a commonly used flammable liquid lighter of similar dimensions within the concave portion on the top of the pipe.
 3. A smoking pipe as defined in claim 1, wherein the said concave portion is cut or molded specifically to allow for a cylindrical shape measuring 1.50 inches.
 4. A smoking pipe as defined in claim 1 wherein, a magnet is located along the top of the surface of the pipe for the purpose of holding a tamping or smothering device or commonly used flammable liquid lighter to the top surface of the pipe.
 5. A smoking pipe as defined in claim 1, wherein said pipe is composed of wood, ceramic, stone, glass, metal or other rigid material suitable for use in the creation of smoking pipes. And being of any color or texture a user may find desirable for functional or aesthetic reasons. 